A key word for Concord baseball this season? Experience.

On a roster of 14 players, the Crimson Tide have 11 seniors and three juniors that head coach Scott Owen feels optimistic about entering the season.

“Any one of these 14 guys can play. We’re 14 strong,” he said. “That maybe isn’t the case every year. We have battles all over the place for playing time.”

Still, Concord – like any area team – hasn’t had a ton of opportunities to actually play outside. The team traveled down to Meriden, Connecticut a couple weekends ago to play but hasn’t spent much time on dirt and grass outside of that trip.

Having so many returning players might help lessen the negative impacts of that slightly, but as Owen emphasized, it’s still a new team.

“There are kids gone from last year’s team. There are new kids,” he said. “You need to create that dynamic and learn how to work together as a team. Is it nice when you have a lot of returning kids? Yes. But some of those things still need to happen, whether you have a lot of kids returning or not.”

On the mound, the Tide have six returners who pitched at the varsity level last season: seniors Brooks Craigue (All-State First Team), Matt Drewes, Dan Revellese, Nate Wachter (First Team) and Zach McCoy, and junior Mitch Coffey.

At the plate, Owen highlighted seniors Kal Gaudreault and Hopkinton transfer Armen Laylagian in addition to junior Dawson Fancher as other likely contributors along with Craigue and Wachter.

Concord finished the 2022 season 13-7, losing in the preliminary round of the playoffs to Windham – the 12 seed. With so much of the team returning in 2023, the Tide hope to take that next step in Division I, starting with the season opener on Monday against those same Jaguars.

“We’re just trying to make sure we’ve covered everything,” Owen said of the team’s preparation heading into the first game. “Get everything in place, so that we’re ready to go as much as we can be on April 10.”

BOW

Coach: Ben Forbes (24th year)

Last year: 13-5, reached D-II quarterfinals

Returning starters:  Cam Evans, sr., SS; Luke Wilke, sr., OF; Zach Cross, sr., P/2B; Calen Smith, sr., OF; Owen Webber, so., C; Ethan Gray, sr., P/1B/3B

Top newcomers: Sean Guerrette, jr., P/3B; Nathan Kiah, so., P/IF; Jake Reardon, fr., 1B/OF

Outlook:  The Falcons will look to a large senior class to lead some young pitchers and position players.

“Returning the whole middle of the field, and two of the most productive pitchers from last season, our top newcomers are going to play the corners and look to replace (All-State First Team) Owen Petretta’s bat in the lineup,” Forbes said. “Hard working group of kids that are excited to compete.”

Teams to beat:  “Any team on any given day. It will be fun to see who sits atop the division at the end of the regular season,” Forbes said.

COE-BROWN

Coach: Rob Stockman (2nd year)

Last year: 6-11, did not make D-II tournament

Returning starters: Tommy Flanagan, Adam Ludwikowski, Casey Colby, Freddy Schaaf, Joey Bush

Top newcomers: Rob Chadbourn, Braden Burt, Mike Flanagan, Jack Smith

Outlook:  “We are young and don’t have a lot of experience coming into this season,” Stockman said. “We as a group are changing the culture of the Coe-Brown baseball program. We have hard working players combined with young new talent. Twenty of our 31 players are sophomores and freshmen. We will work hard, play as a team and represent Coe-Brown, respectively. Very excited about us progressing throughout the season.”

Teams to beat: St. Thomas, Hollis-Brookline, Souhegan

JOHN STARK

Coach: Dennis Pelletier (9th year)

Last year: 12-6, reached D-II quarterfinals

Returning starters: Anthony Paolicelli, jr., P/1B; Hunter Keim, jr., 2B/SS; Hayden Nunley, sr., P/IF/OF; Chris Dustin, sr., P/3B; Chase Philibotte, so., P/SS; Joey Dykstra, so., C/OF

Top newcomers: Aiden Harris, fr., C/3B; Parker LaClair, fr., IF/OF; Seth Marquardt, jr., OF

Outlook:  The 2021 champions are “gelling very well and worked hard this off-season,” according to Pelletier. “Our guys love the game and love playing together. We are aiming for our ninth straight playoff appearance and hope to be in every game.”

Teams to beat: St. Thomas, Hollis-Brookline

MERRIMACK VALLEY

Coach: Sean Wheeler (21st year)

Last year: 8-9, reached D-II prelims

Returning starters: Gavin Wheeler, sr., OF/P; Luke Dougherty, jr., 1B/P; Dylan Garvin, sr., OF/C; Shea Wood, sr., OF; Simon Keary, jr., 1B/P; Alex McPherson, jr., 3B/C

Top newcomers: Landon Abbott, so., 3B/P; Isaak Davis, so., IF/OF/P; Reece Clermont, so., 3B/OF/P; Eli Wormald, so., OF/2B/P; Jonas Weed, fr., OF/1B/P; Will McPherson, jr., 2B/SS/P

Outlook: With 10 pitchers on the roster and three returning from last year, the mound figures to be an area of strength for the Pride with Dougherty leading the rotation. Keary will step up into the No. 2 role and is the only pitcher who defeated last year’s state champs from Hollis-Brookline. Wheeler, Abbott, Will McPherson and Weed are all potential starters, with Davis, Clermont and Wormald playing out of the bullpen. Alex McPherson will be featured behind the dish for the Pride.

Will McPherson and Abbott will split time at third base, and Dougherty and Keary will share time at first. Davis and Clermont are capable of playing multiple positions. Gold Glove Award winner Wheeler will once again patrol centerfield with Wood and Garvin bring plenty of experience to the outfield corners.

Teams to beat: Hollis-Brookline, St. Thomas, John Stark, Souhegan

PEMBROKE

Coach: Josh Coughlin (13th year)

Last year: 6-11, reached D-II prelims

Returning starters: Colby Despres, sr., OF; Andrew Chiavaras, sr., C; Owen Stewart, so., P/OF/IF; Landon Pearson, sr., P/IF; Cam Plumb, jr., P/IF

Top newcomers: Devin Riel, so., P/OF/IF; Sean Bonisteel, jr., OF; Josh Goyette, jr., P/OF/IF; Colby Pope, jr., P/OF/IF

Outlook: The Spartans made the playoffs last year, but bring back very little varsity experience on the pitching mound.

“The pitching staff is undetermined and will be made up by committee,” Coughlin said. “How the committee goes will be how the season goes. We have a solid core of seniors who we believe will blend well with our underclassmen to achieve our goal of getting back to the postseason.”

Teams to beat: Hanover, Souhegan, Hollis-Brookline

BELMONT

Coach: Matt LeBlanc (13th year)

Last year: 13-4, reached D-III prelims

Returning starters: Liam Waldron, sr., P/SS; Hutch Haskins, jr., C/IF/OF; Owen Waldron, so., P/IF; Anakin Underhill, so., P/1B; Matt Krasnecki, sr., P/OF; Jaxson Embree, so., P/C/1B

Top newcomers: Michael Collette, so., P/IF/OF; Wyatt Divers, fr., P/IF/C; Brady Thurber, so., P/IF/OF; Brayden Townsend, fr., OF

Outlook: Belmont returns pitchers Liam Waldron (First Team), Underhill and Krasnecki, who accounted for all 13 wins in 2022. The additions of Divers and Thurber give the Raiders the potential for a very deep pitching staff.

Owen Waldron (Second Team as a freshman), Embree and Haskins look to improve on their success from last season, while newcomers Collette, Cam Oulette, Nolan Lafrance, Keegan Martinez, Eddie Rochenski, Townsend and Brady Fysh “look to carve out a role having played together at various levels,” according to LeBlanc, who added that, “The returning starters will be heavily relied on to continue their growth as the vast majority of the team are underclassmen with only two seniors and one junior on the roster.”

Teams to beat: “Division III figures to be very deep and wide open this year,” according to LeBlanc.

BISHOP BRADY

Coach: Skip Foy (18th year)

Last year: 8-9, reached D-III prelims

Returning starters: Michael Thresher, sr., P/SS/CF; Chris Grimbilas, sr., CF/P/SS; Bryce Miller, sr., 1B/P; Bradyn Mundy, sr., 3B/P; Andy Hunton, jr., C; Owen Thornton, so., P/SS

Top newcomers: Todd Sheppard, jr., OF/1B/P; Danny Morette, jr., 1B/C; John McKerley, so., OF; Nolyn LaFleur, sr., OF; Charlie Bolnick, fr., SS/P/OF; Winn Thomas, fr., 2B/P; Daniel Shedd, fr., OF

Outlook: With six returning starters – including Thresher, a First Team pick last season – and all pitching returning from last year, the Giants are expecting a strong year and are hoping to be in the mix for a title at the end of the season.

“I am looking for a strong season from us this season,” Foy said. “It is early yet, and we have only been on a field twice, but we have to improve defensively to help our pitchers out and we need strong contact up and down the lineup offensively to score a few more runs this year.”

Teams to beat: Monadnock, Belmont, Winnisquam, Gilford, Inter-Lakes

HOPKINTON

Coach: Kevin Hill (1st year)

Last year: 14-5, reached D-III quarterfinals

Returning starters: Bronson Ammann, so., 3B/SS/OF/P

Top newcomers: Tyler Czarkowski, jr., C/3B/P; Jimmy Eaton, jr., 1B/3B/OF/P;Nate Windhurst, so., 2B/SS/P; Travis Windhurst, so., OF/P; Tad Stokes, fr., IF/C/OF/P

Outlook: With the departure of Dave Chase, the Hawks’ head coach for 26 seasons, and Ammann, a sophomore, as the only returning starter, it will be a rebuilding year for Hopkinton. After Ammann, sophomore Cody Charron, a shortstop, third baseman and pitcher, has the most varsity innings.

“The team’s youth will be both its strength and weakness,” first-year varsity coach Hill said. “The players’ hard work ethic and desire to prove they can compete against the rest of the division in a rebuilding year will be driving motivators, but the limited experience at the varsity level will create an adjustment period. However, if the young Hawks can learn from adversity and sort out any struggles early, it could make for an interesting season.”

KEARSARGE

Coach: Kyle Evans (1st year)

Last year: 4-12, did not make D-III tournament

Returning starters: Riley Daniels, sr.; Jacob Rockwell, sr.; Eli Gray, jr.; Shea Curley, so.

Top newcomers: Joe Yanzo, sr.; Jackson Cote, fr.; Emerson Cheney, fr.

Outlook: “Kearsarge has added key additions to the battery that will look to bolster the defense and ability to limit runs,” Evans said. “Offensively, the team will rely on quality at bats and situational hitting from every spot in the lineup to produce scoring. The team is under new coaching and will have an emphasis on a rejuvenated culture that creates a winning atmosphere for players to succeed on and off the field.”

Among the key additions to the Cougar roster is Yanzo, a transfer from Hopkinton, who will lead Kearsarge on the mound.

Teams to beat: Monadnock, Inter-Lakes, Belmont, Gilford, Campbell

WINNISQUAM

Coach: Fred Caruso (17th year)

Last year: 8-9, reached D-III prelims

Returning starters: Alex Nichols, jr., 1B/P; Anthony Boomer, sr., P/3B; Duncan Gosselin, sr., C; Ayden Cushing, sr., CF; Zach St. Onge, jr., SS/P

Top newcomers: John Shea, so., 3B/P/1B; Nik Puffinburger, so., OF/P; Ethan Carter, so., IF/P; Ben Wood, so., OF

Outlook: The biggest question mark for the Bears entering this season is pitching.

“We’re looking for Anthony Boomer (Third Team) to have a solid year on the mound,” said Caruso, adding that, “Alex Nichols, Zach St. Onge, junior Andrew Pearson and sophomores Nik Puffinburger, John Shea and Ethan Carter will all get some innings.

Caruso is expecting strong play in the field and at the plate to help support the pitching staff.

“I like our defensive makeup. St. Onge at short and Cushing in center both cover a lot of ground. Alex Nichols and Anthony Boomer, both All-State players last year, will anchor the offense. Senior Brady Palmer, a newcomer to the sport, has shown a quick bat. Ben Wood and senior Will Trowsdale give us some depth at a number of positions. Looking for Duncan Gosselin to be a rock behind the plate with a year of varsity under his belt.”

Teams to beat: Monadnock, Belmont, Gilford, Campbell, Conant, White Mountains, Berlin

CONCORD CHRISTIAN

Coach: Mike Syvertson (3rd year as varsity head coach, 7th overall)

Last year: 10-7, reached D-IV prelims

Returning starters: Eli Burrell, sr., CF; TJ Charbono, so., P/3B; Jayden Day, sr., P/SS; Nate St. Jean, sr., P/1B; Zachary Syvertson, jr., C/P/SS

Top newcomers: Daniel Stopyro, 8th grade, C/P/2B; Connor Faherty, fr., C/P/RF

Outlook: In just their third season as a varsity program, the Kingsmen are looking to build off a strong 2022 campaign. Concord Christian picked up big victories against some of D-IV’s strong programs – Sunapee, Newmarket and Derryfield – and is hoping a mix of five returning starters and some talented newcomers will lead to even more success this year.

FRANKLIN

Coach: Kyle Kaplan (1st year)

Last year: 0-16, did not make D-IV tournament

Returning starters: Pierre Gulliotte, sr.; Brenin Welch, jr.; Harrison Kaplan, so.; Hunter LeBlanc, so.; Matt Nason, so.; Cam O’Connell, so.

Top newcomers: Brayden Turner, fr.; Kourtney Kaplan, 8th grade; Thomas Nason, 8th grade

Outlook: The Tornadoes are young, but coach Kaplan expects this team to be stronger defensively than it was last season thanks to a lot of speed on the roster. Kaplan is also pleased with the team’s positive attitude and how well the players support each out.

“We are a very young team, and although we have quite a few kids that are leaders, this is (their) first time playing at this level,” coach Kaplan said. “Making the jump from eighth and ninth grade to varsity (is a big change). I think pitching may be an issue at times for us this year. We have several players that have potential, but again, we are young. We are improving daily, working to become pitchers, not just players that can throw the ball. I am extremely excited to be the head coach of this team. I have coached these kids over the years at other levels and now am looking forward to a new challenge with these young men and women. We have a lot of big character players, good attitudes and most could be team leaders.”

PITTSFIELD

Coach: John Carver (2nd year)

Last year: 9-10, reached D-IV prelims

Returning starters: Abe Marcotte, sr., IF/P; Jared Beliveau, sr., OF; Casey Anderson, jr., P/IF; Evan Henninger, jr., IF/OF; Brandin Weygand, jr., P/IF; Ethan Bedell, so., P/IF

Top newcomers: Riley Davis, fr., OF; Isaac Cote, 8th grade, IF; Sam Diomede, 8th grade, OF; John Duvall, 8th grade, IF; Chris Lee, 8th grade, IF/OF; Tyler Mooney, 8th grade, OF; Luciano Percorino, 8th grade, IF/OF; Zach Simpson, 8th grade, OF; Jon Lee, 7th grade

Outlook: The Panthers return only five athletes who experienced the varsity level last season and have eight middle school athletes filling out the roster, so they will rely heavily on their upperclassmen early.

“As with every team, making the tournament is our goal,” Carver said. “Our pitching will be OK so long as we manage the arms safely, as so many of the pitchers play other key positions as well. We will need senior leadership to keep us afloat until the younger players get acclimated to the varsity game.”

Teams to beat: Derryfield, Sunapee, Newmarket, Littleton, Woodsville

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